Floor clip and the method of making same



May 6, 1941.

J. A. M LEAN FLOOR CLIP AND THE METHOD OF MAKING SAME Original Filed Feb. 9, 1931 JOHN A. Mac 455w, Dscewmsq by Mac LEAN- F0 66 1.0a A/wr COMP/71w; AUU'IGNEE V 1% Wm,- m,

I and arrangement of Reissued Mes, 1941' UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcc 21,79: I

rnoo n m'rgn r r n'rnon orrrurmo' John A. MacL an, deceased, late of Chicago, 111;, by MacLean-Fogg Lock Nut Company, assignee,

Chicago, Ill.

Original No. 1,922,814, dated August 15, 1933, Serial No. 514,478, February 9, 1931. Application for reissue and division, December 16, 1940,

Serial No. 370,429

a cums (c1! 29-148) The invention relates to means for securing floor boards and more particularly wooden floor boards or planks to a supporting structure of the steel beam type.

'An object oi the present invention is to provide animproved floor clip for securing floor boards to a supporting beam or sill. 4

Another object of the invention is to provide a clip which is simple in construction and at the same time provide a clip which effectively secures the floor boards to a supporting sill. I

' Another object of the invention is an improved method of constructing a clip of the above type from a bar of rolled metal stock. I

Another object of the invention is the improved method of constructing a' clip of the above type from predetermined lengths or widths of vmetal bars of the desired cross-sectional form which provides for a minimum amount of tooling when fabricating such lengths or. widths into their final form.-

Another object of the invention is the improved method of constructing a clip of the above type from predetermined lengths or widths of metal bars of the desired cross-sectional form which provides the clip fabricated from such lengths or widths with integral means for locking the nut which clamps the clip in securing position against rotation. I i

Another object of the invention is the provision oi arr-improved modified form of floor clip, in which the prongs ior engaging the underside of the floor are also adapted to be made out of that part of the stock which is reduced cross section so as to facilitate the prongs being bent transversely to making them penetrate the woodmore readily.

with these and, other oblects' in view, the invention consists of novel details of construction parts as will be more. fully hereinafter disclosed and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of the inventlon reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, in which several forms of the invention are illustrated. and in which:

' Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a floor clip embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is atop plan view or the floor clip illus trated in Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a right end elevation of Fig. 4 is a side elevationalview oi the floor clip 0! Fig. 1;

Fig, 5 is a view in perspective of another iloor I v 65' her that it facilitates the entry of a bar or prying clip embodying the 1nvention-;.'-

as the body of the clip and to aid in a board.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the floor clip of Fig.6;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the rolled metal bar from which the form' oi clips shownin Figs. 1 to 4 maybe fabricated.

The present application is one. of two divisions of a reissue application filed to cover the same subject-matter as the original Patent No, 1,922,- 814, of John A. MacLean, and the present application is particularly directed to the subjectsmatter of Figs. '7 to 15 of the original patent,

,The mode of use of the iloor clip illustrated in the drawing is shown in section in the co-pending reissue application, Serial No. 370,428, filed December 16, 1940, which is directed to Figs. 1 to 6 of the parent patent. 1

Figs. 1 to 4 herein illustrate one form of the invention, .in which that portion of a bar of stock of reduced cross section is utilized both for forming the wood-engaging prongs and the nut-engaging lock. f

Referring to .Fig. 9, the clip 25 is preferably fabricated from a suitable length' of a rolled metal bar of the cross-sectional shape 28, illuS- trated in Fig. 9. ,-This bar comprises a main body rowintegrally formed rib formation 28 extending laterally from the side of the body 21.

I The clip 25 may be fabricated from a predetermined length of thisbar 26 by means of a suitbar with This. ofition 25 of The clip-is also provided with an aperture 35 for a boltwhich passes through the flooring, and

the offset is formed in the body 25.

The portion 20 01 the bar of reduced width isalso preferably formed with a substantially triangular tooth or prong 3i, which. is punched out I oi portion of the bar and bent upward, as shown in Fig. L The extreme end portion of that part 20 of the bar of reduced thickness is also preierablycurved downward in such manportion 21 of rectangular cross section and a narable shearing and forming operation which is' plane of the body of the clip bears against the under sneer this aperture may be punched at the same time a tool between this part of the clip and the floor so that the member 30 can be bent upwardinto locking engagement wtih the nut on the under side of the clip, after the clip has been installed. I The prong II prevents the clip fromrotating while the nut is being tightened, and the wing member 30 provides means for locking the nut after it has been engaged by a suitable tool and bent down to place the wing 30 in contact with the face of a nut. I

The mode oi use of such floor clips is illustrated in Fig. 1 of the co-pending application,

Serial No. 370,428, filed December 16, 1940.

Referring to Figs. 5 to 8, these are views of another modification. The floor clips of the type shown in Fig. 5 may be fabricated from a predetermined length of metal-bar 28 of the cross-sectional shape shown in Fig. 9. This bar has a body portion 21 of substantially rectangular shape and a narrow integrally ribbed formation 28 extending laterally from the body portion 21.

The clip I may be fabricated from a length of this bar by a suitable shearing and forming operation. which provides the clip with an offset portion H at one end thereof. This offset positions the portion 4i out of the plane of the body of the clip and at a proper angle to conform to a the angle of the lower face of a sill flange when the main body of the clip bears against the underside of a floor board. 4

The clip may be provided with a punched aperture 45 at the same time, and with a pair of substantially triangular pointed upwardly extending prongs formed out of that portion of reduced cross-section at one end of'the blank. That part of the flange 28 between the prongs 42 may also be formed into a nut-engaging tongue or flange 43,. which is simultaneously bent downward in such position that a tool may be very conveniently inserted between this flange 43 and the floor board when the clip is installed, for the purpose of pressing the flange 43 down into engagement with the nut of the bolt. that secures the clip to the floor board. As will be apparent from the drawing the tongue or flange 43 has a cross-sectional'area at the pointof bending equal to only a. small fraction of the cross-sectional area of the body taken on a line extending across the body at the base of the tongue. The prongs l2 en age in the wood of the floor board and prevent the floor clip from turning with respect to the floor board and sill. The nutengaging flange 43 is adapted to engage the nut after it has been driven home, and prevent it from turning. It will thus be observed that the invention comprises an improved floor clip which is provided with an integral formation for holding the nut against loosening and also with an integral prong for engaging in the wood and preventing rota-' tion of the clip. Y

As the wood-engaging prong is formed out of the portion of the body-which is of reduced crosssection, this prong may be more easily formed than if it were made of a thicker part of the body, and the remaining nut-engaging wing is also adapted to be bent more readily into engagement-with the nut, due to its reduced cross-sectional area at the point of its juncture with the main body of the clip. The strains, Jars, and twists to which floor structures wherein the clips may be used, such as raflway cars, are subjected would otherwise inevitably cause rotation of an ordinary clip and working loose of the nut, butby virtue of the prong or prongs with whichthe ions constructions.

limited to the exact structures as shown, as

clips are equipped, and which are effectively embedded in the underside of the board, such rotation of the clip is prevented.

The locking means integrally formed with the clips when moved intoengasement with the nut, after being threaded home, provide means which eifectively locks the nuts and prevents them from working loose due to such strains, jars, and twists as Just pointed out.

While there is illustrated and described the floor clip and its various modifications associated with a floor construction applicable to a railway car, it is to be undestood that they are applicable for use in securing the boards of a floor in var- The invention should not be changes and modifications will readily suggest themselves, and it isdesired to cover all such changes as come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed as followsz 1. The method of makinga clip of the character described which consists in shearing a predetermined width from a metal bar having a portion of rectangular cross-section and an extended portion of reduced thickness and simulta neously forming. said [blank to providean oilset 3 portion angularly disposed relative .to the body, striking up a prongfrom the reduced extension adjacent said body and directing the forward portion of said extension downwardly.

2. The method of making a clip 'of the character described which consists in shearing 'a predetermined width from a metal bar having a portion of rectangular cross-section and an extended portion of reduced thickness and for simultaneously forming saidbiank to provide a prong struck up from a portion of said extension ad- ,pcrtion of said extension downwardly and providing a portion of said body with an oflfset to dispose the same angularly with respect to hori- 'zontal portion of the same.

3. A floor clip for car flooring or the like, com]- prising an integral metal member having a sup- --porting body forming an attaching flange and having a bolt aperture, said body having an offset'and a frame engaging flange carried by said oflset, and an integral extension of said body formed of lesser thickness and adapted to be bent, said extension being located at the end of said clip and having an integral pointed prong punched out of said extension for engagement in the wood, said extension being bendable into engagement with the nut of a securing bolt for locking the nut.

- 4. A floor clip for car flooring orthe like, 'comprising an integral metal member having a sup porting body forming an attaching flange and having a bolt aperture, said body having an onset and a frame engaging flange carried by said offset, and an integral extension of said body formed of lesser thickness and adapted to be bent, said extension being located at the end of said body and formed into a pair of pointed prongs at each side extending into engagement with the wood, and the central part of said extension forming a lug adapted to be bent into engagement with a nut to lock the nut of a securing bolt.

5. In combination in a floor clip for securing together a sill and a floor board supported thereby, a body including a portion for engaging the underside of the board and another portion for engaging under the sill, one of said portions means.

being constructed to receive fastening means for securing the clip to the sill and the floor board,' said board-engaging portion including integral means extending upwardly beyond the principal upper face area of the body for engagement with the floor board, and integral means extending securing the clip to ,the'sill and the floor board,

downwardly for locking engagement with the fastening means, said upwardly extending means and said downwardly extending means joining the body along a substantially common transverse line.

6. In'combinationin a floor clip for securing together a sill and a floor board supported thereby, a body including a portionifor engaging the underside of said board and another portion for engaging under the sill, one of said portions being constructed to receive fastening means tor securing the clip to the sill and the floor board. said floor-engaging portion including an integral floor-engaging part extending upwardly relative tothe upper face of said silkengaging portion, and integral means extending downwardly at the opposite sides of said upwardly extending part for locking engagement 'with the fastening 7.-1n combination inafioo'r 'clip ior securing together a sill and a floor board' supportedthereby, a body including a portion for engaging the.

and integral means extending downwardlybe yond the principal lower'iace area of the body for locking engagement with the fastening means,

said floor-engaging portion-having separate parts extending upwardly relative to v the principal upper face area of the bodyat opposite sides of said locking means.

8. In a floor clip for securing together a sill and a floor board supported thereby; a body ineluding a portion for engaging the. underside of v said boardand another portion for engaging "under the sill,'one of said portions beingconunderside oi. said board and another portion for engagingunder the sill, one '01 said portionsbeing constructed to receive fastening means for structed to receive fastening means for securing the clip to thesill and the floor board, and an integral tongue-struck from one of said portions extending away from the adjacent area of the body to be bent into locking engagement with ,the fastening means, said floor-engaging portion 1 including integral means extending upwardly be yondthe principal upper face area of the body at opposite sides of said tongue, said tongue having a cross-sectional area at the point of bending equal to only a small traction of the cross-sectional area of the body taken on a line extending across the body at the base of the tongue.

MacLEAN-FOGG LOCK NUT COMPANY,

Assignee of John A; MacLean,. Deceased, By JOHN A. MACLEAN, JR.,

President. 

